Thermoformable polyester-containing laminates

Abstract

Disclosed is a thermoformable film laminate that can be useful for packaging comprising or produced from (a) a thermoformable film layer comprising or produced from a polymer composition having at least 80% by weight polyethylene terephthalate polymer, said film having an outer surface and an inner surface; (b) a film layer having a heat shrinkage of at least about 5% less than (a); (c) a heat sealable layer; and optionally, (d) an additional barrier layer.

1. A laminate comprising or produced from (a) a thermoformable film layer; (b) a second thermoformable structural film layer; (c) a heat sealable layer; and optionally (d) a barrier layer wherein
 the thermoformable film layer is disposed between the second thermoformable structural film layer and the heat sealable layer and comprises or is produced from a polymer composition, which comprises or is derived from at least 80% by weight polyethylene terephthalate polymer and wherein the thermoformable film layer has a first surface and a second surface and has less than 5% shrink factor upon exposure to boiling water for five seconds; 
 the second thermoformable structural film layer has less than 5% shrink factor upon exposure to boiling water for five seconds and is disposed adjacent and substantially coextensive with the first surface; and 
 the heat sealable layer is adjacent and substantially coextensive with the second surface and comprises or is made from a copolyester, ionomer, or an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, or coextruded combinations of two or more thereof. 
 
     
     
       2. The laminate of  claim 1  wherein the second thermoformable structural film layer comprises, or is made from, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, ionomer, acid copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, or coextruded combinations of two or more thereof. 
     
     
       3. The laminate of  claim 2  wherein the second thermoformable structural film layer comprises, or is made from, the polyamide. 
     
     
       4. The laminate of  claim 1  wherein the heat sealable layer comprises or is made from an amorphous copolyester. 
     
     
       5. The laminate of  claim 3  wherein the heat sealable layer comprises or is made from amorphous polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
       6. The laminate of  claim 1  wherein the barrier layer is prepared from oriented polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene chloride, ethylene vinyl alcohol, nylon or biaxially oriented nylon, or blends or composites of two or more thereof. 
     
     
       7. The laminate of  claim 6  wherein the barrier layer comprises or is made from polyvinylidene chloride. 
     
     
       8. The laminate of  claim 6  comprising the barrier layer. 
     
     
       9. The laminate of  claim 6  wherein each of the thermoformable film layer and the heat sealable layer comprises or is produced from a single layer of polymer composition comprising or produced from at least 80% by weight polyethylene terephthalate and the laminate optionally comprises the barrier layer. 
     
     
       10. A package comprising or produced from a film laminate as recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       11. The package of  claim 10  having a combination of good barrier properties and heat-sealability. 
     
     
       12. The package of  claim 10  produced from heat seals formed of a temperature-dependent sealant that ruptures and vents the package at the softening point of the sealant. 
     
     
       13. The package of  claim 10  wherein the film laminate is thermoformed. 
     
     
       14. The package of  claim 10  being in the form of a non-shrink bag. 
     
     
       15. The package of  claim 14  further comprising a contained foodstuff. 
     
     
       16. The package of  claim 15  wherein the foodstuff is meat, poultry, or seafood. 
     
     
       17. The package of  claim 15  wherein the foodstuff is fresh, frozen, partially cooked, or value-added foodstuff. 
     
     
       18. The laminate of  claim 4  wherein the laminate comprises the barrier layer and the barrier layer is or is prepared from oriented polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene chloride, ethylene vinyl alcohol, nylon or biaxially oriented nylon, or blends or composites of two or more thereof. 
     
     
       19. The laminate of  claim 5  wherein the laminate comprises the barrier layer and the barrier layer comprises or is made from polyvinylidene chloride. 
     
     
       20. A method of forming an article comprising thermoforming the laminate of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       21. An article prepared by the method of  claim 20 . 
     
     
       22. The article of  claim 21  wherein the article has a shape comprising a pocket.